Saturday Blitz
Fansided

SEC Football: 10 best games to watch in 2016

By Hunter Kinniburgh

Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Michael Nysewander (46) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Florida Gators in the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Alabama won 29-15. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Michael Nysewander (46) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Florida Gators in the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Alabama won 29-15. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) runs after a catch against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second quarter in the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) runs after a catch against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second quarter in the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ole Miss vs. Florida State

Sept. 5- Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida

One of the biggest games of the season comes on Labor Day between Ole Miss and Florida State. Florida State will be looking to put away the demons of the Peach Bowl and find their way back to the Playoff. Ole Miss will be looking to show that its superstar losses to the NFL Draft will not be enough to derail the program from continuing to trend upward.

Florida State will be led by running back Dalvin Cook on offense. Sean Maguire will most likely take over the starting quarterback job. Maguire is a game manager at best. He isn’t flashy but can be prone to mistakes. Cook will be the catalyst for the Seminole offense, as he goes, so goes FSU. The Florida State defense losses some key pieces but still returns 6 starters. The secondary will be counted on the most to limit Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly.

Speaking of Kelly, the Rebels return the SEC’s best quarterback after he had the third best season by an SEC quarterback not named Johnny Manziel and Cam Newton. Kelly will have plenty of weapons to distribute the ball to against FSU, including tight end Evan Engram, and wide receivers Damore’ea Stringfellow and Quincy Adeboyjo. Look for the Rebels to test the Florida State defensive line with their new power run game and some option from Kelly.

On defense the Rebels will look to contain Dalvin Cook. Ole Miss has the experience to do it as they have proven that they can slow big backs down (i.e. Leonard Fournette). The Rebels have a talented enough secondary behind Kendarius Webster, Tony Conner and Tony Bridges to be able to keep the passing game in check. If Cook doesn’t get going then that won’t help the FSU offense find its passing game.

Prediction: Florida State is viewed by many to be a team that can reach the National Championship game and a win against a quality Ole Miss team would certainly boost their resume. Ole Miss needs to prove that it can beat a top team not named Alabama. Ole Miss has the better quarterback, when your team has the better quarterback you win 9 times out of 10.

Score: 38-27 Ole Miss wins 

Next: 2. Alabama at LSU

Home/SEC